Abstract
Objectives: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common otological emergency, causing a measure of hearing loss and affecting the quality of life. This study aims to investigate the association of thyroid-related hormone levels with moderately severe-to-profound SSNHL.Methods: The study included 70 patients with moderately severe-to-profound SSNHL and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Peripheral venous blood samples were taken from the participants, and their thyroid-related hormone levels were measured at admission and 1 week after treatment.Results: In moderately severe-to-profound SSNaHL patients, the concentrations of total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (all P < 0.05) were significantly lower than in the control group. The TT3, TT4, FT3, and TSH levels were significantly higher in the effective group than in the ineffective group (all P < 0.05). Linear correlation analysis revealed that TSH level (R = 0.707, P < 0.05) elevation after treatment successfully predicted a favorable outcome of hearing recovery. Logistic regression analyses suggested low FT3 and TSH levels to be independent occurrence predictors, while the increase of TSH level may be an independent favorable outcome predictor.Conclusions: The results suggest that low FT3 and TSH levels are risk factors for moderately severe-to-profound SSNHL. By discovering the positive association between TSH elevation and hearing recovery, along with the potential novel predictors of FT3 and TSH, our study may contribute valuable insights to the research and treatment of moderately severe-to-profound SSNHL.
Highlights
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as a rapid onset of hearing impairment with more than 30 dB decrease in at least three continuous frequencies within 72 h [1]
It was found that there were no significant differences in moderately severeto-profound SSNHL subgroups. This indicated that thyroid parameters between moderately severe-to-profound SSNHL group and control group may not be influenced by the clinical history of diabetes and hypertension
There were no significant differences in thyroid-related hormone levels, changes in TT3, TT4, FT3, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were significantly higher in the effective group than in the ineffective group
Summary
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as a rapid onset of hearing impairment with more than 30 dB decrease in at least three continuous frequencies within 72 h [1]. SSNHL usually occurs unilaterally, and is sometimes accompanied by tinnitus, vertigo, ear fullness, and nausea. It is a devastating disease mainly due to a lack of understanding about its causes, exacerbated by delays and limited options for treatment [5]. Hearing loss frequency and degree, age, presence of vertigo, and the initial time of therapy are all factors that may influence the prognosis of SSNHL [6]. Among these factors, the degree of hearing loss plays the most important role [7]. Our research focused on moderately severe-to-profound SSNHL at all frequencies
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